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Cattle mistreated in Israeli abattoir: report

Yet another overseas abattoir that kills Australian cattle has been filmed breaching animal treatment standards.

Footage captured by Israeli journalist Ronen Bar, aired on ABC TV's 7.30 on Tuesday, shows cows in Israel's largest abattoir repeatedly being stung with electric prods in the eyes, genitals and anus.

It also shows an injured cow being dragged along a floor by a rope tied to its leg, and other cattle being moved as they bleed to death.

"These were the exact instructions of the managers in my first day there ... if a calf doesn't move, shove the electric probe in his arse," Bar told the ABC of his 19 days working undercover at the abattoir.

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He said most of the cattle filmed were Australian, although it was impossible to tell from the footage.

The treatment has been condemned by the RSPCA in Australia, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the National Farmers' Federation.

As well, abattoir owners Adom Adom told the ABC in a statement the treatment of the animals was "rude, sadistic behaviour" which they too condemned.

DAFF deputy secretary Phillip Glyde said his department was investigating the abattoir in conjunction with Israeli authorities.

"Certainly we were appalled by ... what was brought to light by the Israeli TV crew," he told the ABC.

"But it doesn't mean that the system's not working."

ABC said exporter Elders had commissioned an audit of the abattoir in July, which was passed with only a request for a rusty gate to be oiled.

RSPCA chief scientist Bidda Jones said she couldn't understand "how could an auditor have walked in the door of that place and thought that it was acceptable".

"In my view no Australian animals or any other animals should be going into this abattoir until the staff have been trained properly and the infrastructure is put in place to let animals be handled appropriately," she said.

But National Farmers' Federation president Jock Laurie said the revelations showed how important it was that Australia remained working in these markets to improve animal welfare.

"I think once we go out of the system there's not too many other people that are working there to continually improve," he said.